SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Act of 1934 August 24, 2001 (Date of Report, date of earliest event reported) Stage Stores, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 001-14035 (Commission File Number) DELAWARE (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 76-0407711 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas (Address of principal executive offices) 77025 (Zip Code) (713) 667-5601 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ITEM 5. Other Events. A press release regarding the Company announcing that, on August 24, 2001, it had emerged from the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court under which it had operated since filing for bankruptcy protection on June 1, 2000 was issued by the Company on August 24, 2001 and is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) Financial statements of business acquired. Not applicable. (b) Pro forma financial information. Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Press release dated August 24, 2001 issued by the Company. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. STAGE STORES, INC. August 24, 2001 /s/ Michael E. McCreery (Date) Michael E. McCreery Executive Vice President And Chief Financial Officer 2